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First application of computed radiology to mammography with synchrotron radiation

Primo utilizzo di un sistema di computed radiography in mammografia con luce di sincrotrone

  • Breast Radiology / Senologia
  • Published:
La radiologia medica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of phase-contrast mammography with synchrotron radiation using a high-resolution computed radiology (CR) system devoted to mammography.

Materials and methods

The study was performed at the Synchrotron Radiation for Medical Physics (SYRMEP) beamline of the Elettra synchrotron radiation (SR) facility in Trieste (Italy); X-ray beams were in the range 16–22 keV with a high degree of monochromaticity and spatial coherence. The CR system evaluated is the FCR Profect CS by Fujifilm Global. The first images were obtained from test objects and surgical breast specimens. Images obtained using SR and both screen-film and the CR system were compared with images of the same samples acquired with digital mammography equipment. In view of the good quality of the results obtained, the CR system was used in two mammographic examinations with SR.

Results

Images acquired using SR and both screen-film and CR were obtained with the same level of delivered dose. Image quality obtained with CR was similar or superior to that of screen-film images. Moreover, the digital images obtained with SR were always better than those acquired using the digital mammography system.

Conclusions

Phase-contrast mammography with SR using the studied CR system is a feasible option.

Riassunto

Obiettivo

Lo scopo di questo studio è valutare se sia possibile effettuare mammografie con luce di sincrotrone in contrasto di fase, impiegando come rivelatore un sistema di computed radiography (CR) mammografico ad elevata risoluzione spaziale.

Materiali e metodi

Lo studio è stato condotto presso le linea Synchrotron Radiation for Medical Physics (SYRMEP; Elettra, Trieste) utilizzando fasci di raggi X monocromatici, ad alta coerenza spaziale, con energia compresa tra 16 e 22 keV. Il sistema CR è il FCR Profect CS della Fujifilm Global. Fantocci e campioni chirurgici sono stati impiegati per le prove iniziali; immagini ottenute a SYRMEP su pellicola e su CR sono state confrontate con immagini ottenute presso un mammografo digitale. Visti i buoni risultati, il sistema CR in esame è stato utilizzato per effettuare mammografie su due pazienti.

Risultati

Le immagini acquisite a SYRMEP su pellicola e su CR sono state ottenute a parità di dose; la qualità delle immagini CR è risultata confrontabile o superiore a quella con pellicola. Inoltre le immagini CR ottenute a SYRMEP sono sempre di qualità superiore a quelle ottenute con il mammografo digitale.

Conclusioni

Il sistema CR analizzato risulta adeguato per eseguire mammografie in contrasto di fase.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., Basovizza, Trieste, Italy

    E. Quai, A. Abrami, D. Dreossi & G. Tromba

  2. Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    R. Longo & F. Arfelli

  3. INFN, Sezione di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    R. Longo & F. Arfelli

  4. Unità Clinica Operativa di Citodiagnostica e Istopatologia, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    F. Zanconati

  5. University College of London, London, UK

    G. Jaconelli

  6. Unità Clinica Operativa di Radiologia, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

    M. Tonutti & M. A. Cova

  7. Department of Physics, University of Trieste & INFN, Via Valerio 2, 34100, Trieste, Italy

    R. Longo

Authors
  1. E. Quai
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  2. R. Longo
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  3. F. Zanconati
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  4. G. Jaconelli
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  5. M. Tonutti
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  6. A. Abrami
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  7. F. Arfelli
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  8. D. Dreossi
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  9. G. Tromba
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  10. M. A. Cova
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Longo.

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Quai, E., Longo, R., Zanconati, F. et al. First application of computed radiology to mammography with synchrotron radiation. Radiol med 118, 89–100 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-012-0847-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-012-0847-1

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